As we begin 2011, it's time to look forward to a new year and reflect upon the past year.
How did dating change in 2010? What emerging trends will affect our love lives in 2011?
For Singles
- Ever feel like you must be the last single person left on earth? The good news is: you're not. Far from it, actually - the most recent U.S. Census reports that 44% of American adults are single, which comes out to about 100 million people!
- More often than not, the odds are stacked in men's favor: for every 100 single women in America, there are 85 unmarried men. But never fear, ladies - the odds are stacked in your favor in certain parts of the country, like Austin, TX, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Sunnyvale, CA.
- If you're looking to stay single and make the most of it, consider calling New York or Washington, D.C. home, where 50% and a staggering 70% of residents are single, respectively.
- On the other hand, if you're tired of the single life and are looking to settle down, consider moving out of the nightlife scene. Only 2% of men and 9% of women say they met The One in a wine bar.
For Couples
- On average, women marry at 26, while men wait until they are 28.
- Money is the most common cause of arguments amongst couples in America, so think carefully about your financial decisions and the ways they might affect your relationship.
- Breaking up is never easy, but technology is making it a little simpler: around 46% of people say that they have broken up with a partner via email. Sure it's rude and impersonal, but it's also convenient.
- Spouses who met offline had an average courtship of 42 months, while those who met online courted for an average of 18.5 months.
For Online Daters
- An estimated 40 million singles are logging on to find love.
- The most successful online daters post a profile photo. Profiles with pictures get twice as many responses as profiles without pictures.
- Approximately 1 in 5 singles have dated someone they met on a dating site, and 17% of married couples met online.
- Online dating safety become a concern for many, including state officials: New York was the second state to pass an Internet Dating Safety Act.
- Mobile dating exploded last year (an increase of over 90%!), and is projected to continue its meteoric rise in popularity in 2011.
One overwhelming stat is clear from the 2010 dating data: online dating isn't going anywhere, and if you haven't signed up for an online dating service yet, pursuing love online should be added to your list of 2011 New Year's resolutions!